Use the Power of Storytelling to Align Work, Life

<strong>Orlando, Fla. &mdash; Oct. 9</strong><br />Our capacity for storytelling is one of our most profound gifts. But sometimes, our personal stories, the ones we tell ourselves, become dysfunctional. These stories can become obstacles to progress in work and personal life.<br /><br />An eight-step life storyboard template is now available from the Human Performance Institute based on its work in peak performance training and development. <br /><br />The free tool is derived from the new book by Institute CEO and co-founder Jim Loehr, Ed.D., titled “The Power of Story: Rewrite Your Destiny in Business and in Life.” <br /><br />The book and storyboard tool offer the same energy and peak performance training concepts that global business leaders, world-class athletes, medical professionals, military special forces and thousands of individuals have received at the Human Performance Institute in Orlando, Fla. <br /><br />&ldquo;The storyboarding process is a wonderful tool for rewriting a life story,&rdquo; Loehr said. &ldquo;I&rsquo;ve seen individuals who have struggled for years with an unsatisfying job or life situation clarify their direction in a matter of hours with this tool.&rdquo;<br /><br />Steve Reinemund, former PepsiCo CEO, says of Loehr&rsquo;s work is incredible.<br /><br />&ldquo;I know his coaching works because I have seen it change the lives of many PepsiCo leaders,&rdquo; he said.<br /><br />The storyboard process helps individuals examine their personal stories, challenge themselves to find deeper truths beneath those stories and then to align their stories with their work and life goals and missions. Loehr outlines the eight steps:<br /><br /><ol><li>Identify purpose</li><li>Face the truth</li><li>Select a story</li><li>Describe the dysfunctional story</li><li>Read your old story</li><li>Write a new story</li><li>Create supportive rituals</li><li>Provide accountability</li></ol><br />The “Power of Story” explores this process in great detail with examples of &ldquo;old stories,&rdquo; as well as new stories that are reinvigorated with truth and purpose, leaving their owners poised for meaningful action.<br /><br />Dr. Stephen R. Covey, author of “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” and “The 8th Habit: From Effectiveness to Greatness,” praises “The Power of Story.” <br /><br />&ldquo;This book powerfully and inspiringly communicates that we are the creative force of our own life,” he said. “We can write and act on the stories that give our life its greatest meaning and fulfillment.” <br /><br />The book is endorsed by Barbara L. Frederickson, Ph.D., from the University of North Carolina, a researcher and author who is noted for her groundbreaking work in positive psychology. <br /><br />Former Commander of the Navy SEALS Rear Admiral Ray Smith and A.G. Lafley, Procter & Gamble CEO, also praise “The Power of Story.”<br /><br />Loehr is the co-author of “The Power of Full Engagement,” “Stress for Success,” “Mentally Tough,” and “The New Toughness Training for Sports.”<br /><br />Loehr&rsquo;s list of professional sports clients include Mark O&rsquo;Meara in golf, Jim Courier and Monica Seles in tennis, Jim Harbaugh in football, Mike Richter and Eric Lindros in hockey, Grant Hill in basketball, Eddie Cheever Jr. in race car driving, Ray &ldquo;Boom Boom&rdquo; Mancini in boxing and Dan Jansen in speed skating.<br /><br />Employers such as Citigroup, The Estée Lauder Cos., the FBI, GlaxoSmithKline, House of Blues, Merrill Lynch, PepsiCo, Procter & Gamble and San Juan Regional Medical Center have turned to the Human Performance Institute for employee engagement strategies, wellness programs, work-life balance programs and employer-of-choice initiatives.